Week One: Learning About Stress Triggers

Reflect:

Good Stress and Distress

Positive stress (or good stress) is when you perceive a stressful situation as an opportunity that will lead to a good outcome. Negative stress (or distress) is when you perceive a stressor as a threat that will have a poor outcome. Things that cause us stress–either good stress or distress are “stress triggers.” What stressors trigger the strongest reactions in you?

Create:

Taking an Inventory

Make a list of all the things that are stressful in your life right now. Include both the good stressors as well as the negative ones. Label them: person, place, situation, or thing. Where is your greatest stress coming from right now? Write down why this is so.

Pray:

A New Perspective

Loving Creator, there are things in my life that cause me to feel stressed out, particularly (name one stressor). Help me to see this stressor through your eyes. Help me to pray for this stressor. (Continue praying about this stressor, remembering that God loves you and cares for you.)

Sharing Your Faith:

No Stress, No Life

Do you think it’s possible to live a life with no stressors, including those which cause positive reactions? What kind of life would this be? Would it be the kind of life God wants for us?